Lubricating device



March 18, 1930. .1. o. LEWIS LUBRICATING DEVICE Filed April 2, 1928 F5 v JL .EL .1|

Ihver-nor` John O. Lewis,

His Attorneg Patented Mar. 18, 1930 TE S T I" E S ICE JOHN O. LEWIS, OF WESLEYVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A. CORZPORATION F NEW YORK LUBRICATING DEVICE Application filed April 2,

My invention relates to oil reserve bearing lubricating devices of the type employing a storage reservoir in which oil is contained below atmospheric pressure above an outlet opening formed in the lower portion thereof,

and from which the fiow of oil is regulated by arranging the outlet or a vent tube to control the admission of air to the upper portion of the reservoir.

In filling the reservoir in a device of this kind it is necessary to increase the-pressure therein to atmospheric, or abovebefore oil will flow into the same. The increase in pressure in the reservoir permits an unrestricted fiow of oil therefrom, and heretofore in order to avoid floodingr the bearing, a valve has been arranged in the reservoir outlet which is closed during the filling operation, or a porous obstruction has been placed in the outlet to feed oil therefrom and to limit the flow of oil from the reservoir during the lling operation. A valve in the outlet is objectionable because attendants are likely to forget to open the same after the filling operation so that the supply of oil to the bearing is cut off. The use of a porous obstruction in the reservoir outlet is unsatisfactory because it often clogs so as not to properly feed oil to the bearing or becomes displaced so that the bearing is flooded. Moreover, if oil is forced into the reservoir the porous obstruction is very likely to either be displaced or permit such a rapid How of oil therethrough from the reservoir that the bearing is flooded. Furthermore, these devices have not generally provided any arrangement for indicating when the reservoir was filled, so that the attendant often continued pouring oil into the reservoir after it was full and flooded the bearing. This has been particularly troublesome when the reservoir was filled by a pump or other pressure device.

The object of my invention is to provide a lubricatingr device of this type in which flooding of the bearing during filling of the reservoir is avoided and in which the oil overflow from the reservoir is arranged to give an indication that it is full. I prevent flooding of the bearing during the filling operation by arranging an outlet in the reservoir and 1928. Serial No. 266,485.

providing means for supplying oil from the outlet to the bearing which is formed and arranged to provide for introducing a lling tube into the ouiict to direct oil into the reservoir and to prevent the flow of oil therefrom through the outlet during the filling of the same. In order to provide an indication when the reservoir is filled, I arrange an overflow opening into the upper portion of the reservoir which discharges at a point in view of an attendant filling the reservoir.

My invention will be more fully set forth in the following description referring to the accompanying drawing and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will he pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is an end view partly broken away, of a motor bearing having my improved lubricating device applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a slight modification of the lubricating device shown in Fig. l, and Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views on the lines 5*:5 and 6 6 respectively, of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawing, the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, is an end head l() of a motor having a bearing 11 therein in which the motor shaft 12 is journaled. A pocket 13 is formed in the end head with an opening 14 in one side above the bottom thereof communicating with the bearing, and oil is fed to the bearing from a substantially constant level at 15 below the opening 14 by an absorbent material 16, such as waste or the like, so as to make uniform the rate of feeding oil to the bearing. In order to exclude dust and dirt from the pocket 13 and afford access thereto for repacking the absorbent material, a removable cover 17 is provided having a vent opening 18 therein so that air pressure in the pocket will not interfere with feeding of the oil to the bearing. Oil is supplied to the pocket 13 at constant level from the outlet 19 of a storage reservoir 20 adapted to contain oil above the level 15, below atmospheric pressure, and the flow of oil from the reservoir is regulated by controlling the admission of air thereto.

In accordance with my invention the means for supplying oi] from the reservoir to the pocket 13 at constant level is formed and arranged to provide for introducing a filling tube into the reservoir outlet to direct oil into the reservoir and to prevent the flow of oil therefrom through the outlet during filling the reservoir. In the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3, for example, this is done by arranging a receptacle 21 at the lower portion of the reservoir into which the outlet 19 discharges and forming an opening or extension 22 on the receptacle in alignment with the aXis of the outlet. In this way a suitable filling tube 23, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, can be placed in the extension 22 with the end thereof in the outlet so as to direct oil into the reservoir and prevent the flow of oil from the `reservoir through the outlet during the filling operation. The eX- tension 22 and the filling tube 23 are made in any convenient manner so as to permit an overflow of oil from the receptacle 21 when the tube 23 is in the extension, but for convenience in illustration I have for this reason shown the extension 22 of slightly larger diameter than the tube 23. Oil is supplied to the pocket 13 from the receptacle 21 by a passage 24 which also communicates by an opening 25 with a chamber 26 adjacent the pocket 13 which contains a body of oil to further insure uniform flow of oil to the bearing. The chamber 26 is vented through an opening 27 in the upper portion thereof which opens int-o the pocket 13 below the top of the absorbent material, but the latter is porous enough to allow the passage of air to the chamber from the vent opening in the pocket cover. The receptacle 21 is also vented through the extension 22 so that the oil level in the receptacle and the chamber 26 remains the same.

The oil level in the receptacle 21 and chamber 26 is maintained substantially constant at 15 below the opening 14 in the bearing by providing a vent tube 28 in the reservoir 20 which opens into the upper portion thereof and into the receptacle at the level 15. A nipple or short piece of pipe 29 is threaded into the end of the vent tube so that it can be replaced or adjusted to vary the height of the level 15 below the bearing opening 14, and a removable plug 30 is arranged in the bottom of the rece tacle 21 to afford ready access to the nipp e. As long as the level of oil in the receptacle 21 is at 15, the end of the vent tube 28 is sealed by the oil which prevents the admission of air to the reservoir so that oil is retained therein below atmospheric pressure. However, when the oil level in the receptacle 21 falls below7 the level 15, air is admitted to the reservoir through the vent tube 28 which increases the pressure in the reservoir. Oil then flows from the outlet 19 into the receptacle until the oil level in the latter seals the ends of the vent tube and the pressure of the air in the reservoir above the oil therein is reduced sufficiently to support the head of oil in the reservoir above the outlet 19.

When it becomes necessary to fill the reservoir 20 the filling tube 23 is introduced into the outlet through the extension 22, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, which prevents the flow of oil from the reservoir through the outlet. Moreover, if the filling tube delivers oil under high pressure, its being placed in the outlet 19 prevents oil being forced into the bearing 11 during filling the reservoir.

As oil flows into the reservoir the oil level therein rises, increasing the pressure of the air above the oil level so that air is forced out of the reservoir through the vent tube and through the oilin the receptacle. After the reservoir is filled oil flows out of the vent tube 28 into the receptacle 21 and raises the oil level therein until oil flows out of the extension 22 along the filling tube 23, giving the attendant a positive indication when the reservoir is full.

The modification of my improved lubricating device shown in Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive, is also'applied to the end head 10 of a motor having a bearing 11 therein in which the motor shaft 12 is j ournaled. A pocket 13 is formed in the end head adjacent the bearing 11 with an opening 14 therein above the bottom thereof communicating with the bearing and oil is fed to the bearing from a substantially constant level 15 below the opening 14 by an absorbent material 16 such vas waste or the like. The pocket 13 is provided with a cover 17 having a vent opening 18 therein so that air pressure in the pocket will not interfere with feeding oil to the bearing. An oil reservoir 20 has an outlet 19 in the lower portion thereof which communicates directly with a receptacle 21 having an extension 22 1n alignment with the outlet 19 so that a filling tube 23', shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, can be introduced into the outlet for directing oil into the reservoir and for preventing the flow of -oil through the outlet during filling the reservoir. The oil level is maintained substantially constant in the receptacle 21 by a1'- ranging a vent tube 28 with one end opening into the top of the reservoir and the other end openinginto the receptacle 21. In order to provide for adjustment of the oil level in the receptacle the end of the vent tube is formed with two threaded openings 29, one of which is closed by a plug 31', so that by changing the plug f-rom one opening to the other, the level in the receptacle can be varied. The receptacle 21 communicates with the pocket 13 by an opening 32', which is clearly shown in Fig. 5, so that oil is fed from the const-ant level l5 by the absorbent material 16 in the pocket.

generally, so that I do not desire my invention to be limited to the particular construction shown and described, except as defined in the appendedclaims.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. In combination with a bearing, a lubricating device comprising a storage reservoir adapted to contain oil below atmospheric pressure, said reservoir having an outlet in the lower portion thereof, and means for supplying oil to said bearing from said outlet formed and arranged to provide for introducing a filling tube into said outlet to direct oil into said reservoir and to revent the flow of oil therefrom through said) outlet during filling said reservoir.

2. In combination with a bearing, a lubrieating device comprising a storage reservoir adapted to contain oil below atmospheric pressure, said reservoir having an outlet in the lower portion thereof, means for supplying oil to said bearing from said outlet formed and arranged to provide for introducing a filling tube into said outlet to direct oil into said reservoir and to prevent the flow of oil therefrom through said outlet during filling said reservoir, and means for conducting air from said reservoir during filling the same.

3. In combination with a bearing, a lubricating device comprising a storage reservoir adapted to contain oil below atmospheric pressure, said reservoir having an outlet in the lower portion thereof, means for supplying oil to said bearing from said outlet formed and arranged to provide for introducing a filling tube into said outlet to direct oil into said reservoir and to prevent the fiow of oil therefrom through said outlet during filling said reservoir, and means including an oil sealed vent tube for conducting air from said reservoir during filling the same and for providing an overflow of oil from said reservoir to indicate when it is full of oil.

4. In combination with a bearing, a lubrieating device comprising a storage reservoir having an outlet in the lower portion thereof and a vent passageway terminating at one end inside of the upper portion of said reservoir and at the other end outside of said reservoir, and means for supplying oil to said bearing from said outlet formed and arranged to provide for introducing a filling tube into said outlet to direct oil into said reservoir and to prevent the flow of oil therefrom through said outlet during filling said reservoir, said oil supplying means being arranged to provide an oil seal for said vent passageway'.

5. In combination with a bearing, a lubricating device comprising a storage reservoir having an outlet in the lower portion thereof and a vent passageway terminating at one end inside the upper portion of said reservoir and at the other end outside of said reservoir, and means for supplying oil to said bearing from s aid outlet having an extension in alignment with the outlet of said reservoir to provide for introducing a filling tube into said outlet to direct oil into said reservoir and to prevent the fiow of oil therefrom through said outlet during filling said reservoir, said oil supplying means being arranged to provide an oil seal for said vent passage and to provide an overflow from said reservoir through said exerlision to indicate when said reservoir is 6. In combination with a bearing, a lubricating device comprising a storage reservoir adapted to contain oil below atmospheric pressure, said reservoir being arranged at one side of said bearing and having an outlet in the lower portion thereof, a pocket extending below the top of said reservoir on the other side of said bearing, absorbent material in said pocket for feeding oil therefrom to said bearing, and means for supplying oil from said outlet to said pocket and at a substantially constant level, said means being formed and arranged to provide for introducing a filling tube into said outlet to direct oil into said reservoir and to prevent the flow of oil therefrom through said outlet during filling said reservoir.

7. itn combination with a bearing, a lubricating device comprising a storage reservoir adapted to contain oil below atmospheric pressure, said reservoir being arranged at one side of said bearing and having an outlet in the lower portion thereof, a pocket on the other side of said bearing extending below the top of said reservoir, absorbent material in said pocket for feeding oil therefrom to said bearing, and means including an oil sealed vent tube for supplying oil to said pocket at substantially constant level, said oil supplying means being formed and arranged to provide for introducing a filling tube into said outlet to direct oil into said reservoir and to prevent the flow of oil therefrom through said outlet during filling said reservoir.

8. In combination with a bearing, a lubrieating device comprising a storage reservoir adapted to contain oil below atmospheric pressure, said reservoir being arranged at one side of said bearing and having an outlet formed in the lower portion thereof, a receptacle communicating with said outlet formed and arranged to provide for introducing a filling tube into said outlet to direct oil into said reservoir and to prevent the fiow of oil therefrom through said outlet during filling said reservoir, a pocket on the other side of said bearing communicating with said open receptacle and having an absorbent material therein for feeding oil to said bearing, and means including an oil sealed Vent tube having one end opening into the upper portion of said reservoir and the other end opening into said receptacle, for maintaining a substantially constant oil level in said pocketand for providing an overfiow from said reservoir to indicate when the same is full of oil.

9. In combination with a bearing, a lubricating Vdevice comprising a storage reservoir adapted to contain oil below atmospheric pressure, said reservoir being arranged at one side of said bearing and having an outlet formed in the lower portion thereof, a receptacle communicating with said outlet formed and arranged to provide for introducing a filling tube into said outlet to direct oil into said reservoir and to prevent the How of oil therefrom through said outlet during filling said reservoir, said receptacle having a tubulareXtension in axial alignment with said outlet for supporting a filling tube therein, a pocket communicating with said receptacle and havin an absorbent material therein for feeding 01 to said bearing, and means including an oil sealed vent tube havin one end opening into the upper portion o said reservoir and the other end opening into said receptacle for maintaining a substantially constant oil level adjacent said pocket and for providing an overflow from said reservoir to indicate when the same is full of oil.

10. In combination with a bearing, a lubricating device comprising a storage reservoir adapted to contain oil below atmospheric pressure, said reservoir having an outlet in the lower portion thereof, means for supply- .ing oil from said outlet to said bearing 1ncluding a receptacle extending below the top of said reservoir, an extension on said receptacle formed and arranged to provide for introducing a filling tube into said outlet to direct oil into said reservoir and to prevent the How of oil therefrom through. said outlet during filling said reservoir, and means for maintaining a substantially constant oil level in said receptacle comprising a vent tube communicating with the upper portion of said reservoir and said receptacle, said vent tube providing an overfiow from said reservoir through said receptacle and said extension to indicate when said reservoir is filled.

11. In combination with a bearing, a lubricating device comprising a storage reservoir adapted to contain oil below atmospheric pressure, said reservoir having an outlet in the lower portion thereof, means for supplying oil from said outlet to said bearing including a receptacle extending below the top of said reservoir, an extension on said receptacle formed and arranged to provide for introducing a filling tube into said outlet to direct oil into said reservoir and to prevent the fiow of oil therefrom through said outlet during filling said reservoir, said extensionbeing 

